Combination oil inlet and igniter for vaporizing oil burners



March 30, 1954 Filed June 10, 1949 H. COMBINATION OIL INLET AND IGNITER FOR VAPORIZING OIL BURNERS 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ya /"y C. L009 K 46 M1 62am,

March 30, 1954 c, LQNG 2,673,606

COMBINATION OIL INLET AND IGNITER FOR VAPORIZING OIL BURNERS Filed June 10, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ?0 INVENTOR. 95 92 Bfia/"fly C. 40/39 fl wwtd March 30, 1954 Q LONG 2,673,606

COMBINATION OIL INLET AND IGNITER FOR VAPORIZING OIL BURNER-S Filed June 10, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Harry C. [yo/7y H. 6 4Ha/-HE /5 March 30, 1954 c LONG 2,673,606

COMBINATION OIL INLET AND IGNITER FOR VAPORIZING OIL BURNERS Filed June 10, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i I M0 /4/ 76 6/ 55 INVENTOR. I Haw/1y C. [Va/Z7 1/ BY fffunnefi r ooMBINATIon on. INLET AND IGNI TER FOR vnro Iz NG o1L"BU1ti -;Ens ji '-.1...Harry:,0, Long;Portlandgoregl I Ins at nqae 10, 1949, serial No'.'9e,3s2 V The present invention-comprises an improvement in igniters for oil burners of the type comprising an open receptaclejin'which oil is vaporized by the heat'of combustion, and'the vapor is mixedwith-air and 'burned The invention is herein illustratedin combination with a'cylindrical burner of the-type having an oil inlet near the bottom *thereofand a plurality of perforations for admitting new the intermediate and upper regions-thereof, but it is to be appreciated that'the-invention may be utilized in combination with other shapes and types of burnersof this general class-such as represented by the patent-to Daniel's, No. 2,083,832 dated June 15, 1937; I he-present-invention isan im- I that association thereof with a properly designed provement upon my prior inventions disclosed in applications -for --'Letter's--Patent of-the United States Serial No. 7l7,6 ll filed December 21, 1946, now Patent No.- 2, 520-, 159 granted-August '29, 1950,'and Serial No.2780,413 filed-October 17, 1947,

now Patent-Nov2,646,111,"grant'ed 'July'21, 1953.

The principal object-'ofgthe' present invention is to provide an electric igniter foran 'oil burner which is self-containeda'nd provided in the form of a fitting which may be screwed into a nipple affixed to the body of-theoil' burner and through which the oil is admitted to the burner; the igniter body thus constitutingan'oil inlet. An advantage of thus providing an igniter embodied in a unitary fitting is that no special equipment need be provided'fand noegreat modification-of an existing oil burner 'need 'be made; in order to associate theigniter of the present invention with an existing oilburner. i In accordance with the present invention; the existingoiltinlet is either removed and the openingenlarged if it is not large enough; or it is capped'orplugged and an opening'drilled through the sidewall of th'e burner near the bottom thereof. In either case, an internallysthreaded: nipple is 'weldedto the body of the oil. burner to surround the opening. This is the only modification 'necessaryin order to attach theignite'r of -thepresent invention to most oil'burners. i I I a.

A further object of the pre'sent invention is to provide an igniter or the character described which does not upset-the balance I of an existing oil burner. orrwhich may be readily and. simply adj usted orialtered to adapt. itself toathe pressure conditions existing in any oil burner oi theltype under consideration. It is wellikn'own that there is a great deal of experiment.and-iapplication of scientific principles. necessary to. provide :uniform -.mixing. of .ioilsvapoia and air; andiefficiently to". utilize; the ;;iue1v;in: any sburner. pf. Ithis type,

andizthelpres'enti invention-ems the" advantage i oil burner does not upset the balance of pressures'to such extent as has heretofore been the case when igniters'have been inserted in, or associated with; such burners.

' The addition of the present invention to an existing burner does not cause the creation of soot or carbon depositsin the burner 01' otherwiseaifectthe combustion characteristics thereof; l i k A further object of the present invention is toprovide an igniter in which all elements are sturdy and long" lasting and in which any element which might" become corroded or otherwise deteriorate after-long usage isprotected and also maybe readily-replaced.

A-principalobject-of the present invention is to-provide an i'gnitenwhich may be operated under manual or automatic control as desired, the -"igniteritself not-being altered for one type of control ortheother. 3

-A -furt-her objectof- 't-he present invention is to provide; an-igniter which will operate perfectly whether the-burner and the appliance to which it is attachedi'are designed--for gravity or pressure operationi- I The foregoing 'andot'her objects and advantages of-the present invention will be more readily ascertained 'by inspection ofthe following specification inconnection with theaccompanying drawing wherein'like numerals refer to like parts throughout", while I the 1 features of novelty will bemore distinctly pointed out in the appended claims, in-the drawing, Fig, l is a view in perspective of anigniter-of the present invention, with parts broken away, and partially in exploded view, attached toa gravity-fired oil burner in a manually conti'olled 'appliance; J

, -Fi'g. -2 is a' front view with parts broken away,

ofanigniter oi the present invention in association with a pressure-fired oilburn'er in an automatically controlled appliance;

FiglB is a side.view taken from the right side Fig.2; 1;. I 1

'Fig;. 4 is aspartialvertical section, on an enlargedlscale taken,along line 4 -4 of Fig. 3; ,Fig :5 1.:is: an enlargedtside view, with parts broken away, ofa portion of the control apparatus illustrated in smallerscale. in Fig. 3; J

Fig. 6 is. ..a partial side elevation, with parts broken; away, Ilooking from theplane of line Bi'B OfiEig;2; 1t. u H ;Eig: i 51; is .:a horizontal. section taken substan- 131341111 a1ongl-1ine..7 -+l :of Fig,;6; .15 g

t'iighflis'x-a partial plan'view, withrparts broken 3 away, taken substantially along line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken through the longitudinal center line of the igniter body;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken substantially along line Iillfl of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a partial vertical section similar to Fig. 10 but showing a modified form of air valve for the igniter;

Fig. 12 is a partial section similar to Fig. 9.

showing the igniter body provided with a plu:

rality of secondary air admisSionopenings;

Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to FigHlZ, showing a modification of the igniter bodyfand Fig. 1c is a schematic wiring diagram of an automatic control circuit incorporated in the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2. 9

Referrin to Fig. 1, there is shown in dashoutline a portion of the outer casing of an oil burning appliance which is provided with an access door opening. An oil burner [0 comprisin an open receptacle having a cylindricalside wall is mounted in the casing, preferably upon legs H whereby the bottom of the burner is raised above the floor level of the appliance so as to ermit the flow of cooling air beneath the burner to protect the iloor from over heating. In accordance with usual practice, the vertical wall of the burner is provided with a plurality of air inlets 52, the same bein arranged in a plurality of vertically spaced rows, the lowermost row being suiiiciently above the bottom of the burner that oil cannot flow therethrough even though the fire should be extinguished andthe oil should continue to flow. In accordance with my invention, an oil inlet I3 is provided in the side wall of the burner relatively close to the bottom thereof, the opening being about three-fourths of an inch in diameter. An internally threaded nipple I4 is welded to the wall concentrically about the oil inlet 13. The opening is may be an enlargement of the opening ordinarily provided for attachment of the oil inlet pipe, or the re ular oil inlet pipe may be capped or plugged and a separate opening provided, either operation being readily achieved in the held by the use of ordinary tools without necessarily removing the burner from the appliance. Of course, it is to be appreciated that when the igniter is being assembled with a burner in the factory where the appliance and burner are assembled, the opening 13 would be the only opening required since it constitutes the oil inlet for the burner. When the nipple I4 is attached to the burner, as illustrated in Fig. 1 the burner is ready for association therewith of the igniter of the present invention.

The preferred form of the igniter comprises a cast fitting, made of brass or other suitable alloy, the same preferably comprising an elongated, hollow body 26 resembling a short section of cast pipe. The inner end of the body is externally cylindrical and provided with standard pipe threads 25 adapted to be threadedly en aged with the internal threads of the nipple l4. When the igniter is being attached to the burner the fittin is screwed into the nipple until a tightfit is obtained when an extension 22 of .the fittin extends vertically above the body 20. The .exten sion 22 is in the form of a hollow riser or wall having a rectangular cross-section, and its upper edge is located above the highest level to which oil may flow from the usual float valve or equivalent. The front and rear walls .of theextension are preferably prov-idedfwith ribs;23.onzthe outer surface thereof, in the upper ends-of Wh Gh- Q W receiving openings 24 are provided. The upper portion of on side wall is provded with a large air inlet opening 25 which is located at a little distance below the upper end edge of the extension, but still above the highest oil level. The base of the opposite wall of the extension is pro vided with an internally threaded boss 26 to which the oil inlet tube 21 may be connected as through the means of an elbow 28. The base of the front wall of the extension i provided with an internally threaded boss 29 in which is seated athreaded clean-out plug 30, the plug bein in 'alignmentwith' the axis of the body 28 so that a cleaner rod may be utilized to remove any carbon deposit which may form on the floor of the burner in front of the outlet of the body 29. The external surface of the boss 29 is preferably formed with fiat sides so that the fitting may be engaged by a wrench. The base of the wall in which openin 25 is provided is threaded for the reception of a pair of screws 3| which attach the lower end of a bimetallic strip 32 to the fitting. The upper end of strip 32 carries a valve body, the stem portion thereof being indicated at 33. The valve body is more fully illustrated in Fig. 10 or 11, the preferred form being indicated at 3A in Fig. 10. Adjoining the inner wall of the extension 22 and extending toward the threads 2| there is preferably provided an upwardly extending ridge 35 of sufiicient height to extend above the highest level to which oil may flow from the usual control means. One or more small air inlet openings 36 may be drilled vertically downward through the ridge 35 into the interior of the body 20.

The upper end of the extension 22 is closed by a refractory, dielectric plug 40, details of which may be more clearly ascertained from inspection of Figs. 9 and 10.. The plug is molded around the ends of a pair of insulated conductors ll which extend through the plug and the inner ends of which are joined by a short length of resistance wire forming a resistance element 132 shaped into the form of a bail, the ends of the conductors 4| and of the resistance element 42 being preferably abutted and fused together. The plug 40 is preferably formed of material which may be melted at high temperatures and poured. into place around the wires 4| while they are being retained in proper relation to a receptacle 43 having a pair of openings through the bottom thereof through which the wires extend and about which the material of the plug may flow to insulate the wires from the receptacle. The receptacle is preferably provided with a horizontal flange extending about its upper edge, which flange is adapted to overlie the upper edge of the extension 22 to provide means for fastening the plug in position, this being accomplished by a pair of screws 45 threaded into the openings 2c with their heads overlying and gripping the flange of the receptacle 43. The resistance element 42 pivotally supports a block wick 45 of porous, capillary al which may be of ceramic, refractory substance, but is preferably formed of sintered,.powdered metals of high resistance to heat and corrosion such as various alloys of brass or nickel. The plug is formed with a transverse opening 41 of substantially larger diameter than the diameter of the resistance element 42. The resistance element 42 comp-rises a relatively rigid wire of relatively large diameter formed of an alloy of. nickel or the likehayinga high resistance to corrosion and heat andwhich will retain its shape when heatedor when subjected to rough the conductors are jbent downwardlyi and "are l inserted intoverucar'contactrepenihgsii 507: iii a transformer r preferablyfmouhte'd "insidejor the appliance casing as by 'means'ior' "pluralityef mounting studs52. ,The transformer issuelied with" current "through pair of conductorsita protected "by a flexible, metallic'iconduit" 54, and

'thetlahsformer'is controlled by a manual switch conductors T561 The switch is of 'tlienoimally "opefiitypefana fcurfent Will now through the resistance 1em'nt'42' only as long aslthebuttoh 55'lsd'epfsd. M T f Inthe forinofth n entionillustrated'inFig. I it'istdbe appreciatedthatthe'tube 2T'is con- "Iiectd" to "some form of manually controlled oil ,regulatingvfalve" (not shown)""which is opened to the desired extent when the appliance is to be Tfired'; OiYflOW'ihg TintQ the body 2 0 contacts the wick menu. a portion thereor' s diverted throughthe' capillariti'esthereofso that within a few seconds after depression of the switch button'jfiii a pilotflamafwill commenceto burn about theupper'portiqn of the wick'tfi dueto va orization and 'ignitio'n'oj some of the diverted oil"by"the' resistanceaementn; fAir tosuppo'rt combustionenters"through the air nlet2'5; the bimetallic strip 32' being so arranged as" normally to hold' the"valve"34away from its seat. The

opening. 41 provides means to permit jaccessi'oi air to the'oil which fisf'being volatiliz'e'd by the resistance "element so" that"the' first ignition "of oil takes place'at theends'of the opening, the interior thereof being highly f-heated i and proi idinei a small, arb retine c a r? h jfl m soon spreads over; the entire surface of the plug 46 and sweeps through the"interioroithe' blody 2G along with the oilfflowing' therethro'ugh The interiorv offthe bodyfifi'iormsanjoil con'duit'or passage: whichis o f such height throughout'that an open, flame conducting passageextendsto the interior of the 'burner' above th'eoil flowing jtherethroughatall times:"Ifh e oil entering the burnerand spreading out over the'bottomfthereof isthus ignited and commences to heat the burner to such an -extent that vaporization "of fuel will continue; ;In the preferred form ofthe apparatus ignition of me u at the region of the wick occurs in ten to fifteen 'secondsafter thebnt n' eel e e daandvexp n ew l t ch h e e t l l th t m 'i isr s a-j to hold the button dep ie ssed "whereupon itmay be released and theoperation-iwill-co itinue with? out manual attendance The-flame in the in= 'terior of theextension 22- soon heats-the"'walls thereof to such an extent] that the bimetallie Strip i w id i 2? ete iih sS at n thewa -mit -fle tin iie idi r v ntin The flame within'the interior of the ignite! is \th issnfif tdo itth aet bei yf i iv tfi he w thin;a rox met lvf n fi nute" i t n occurs: The-eigeningsifldam providedto" permit a cQntinuOussupplyfot vap orpurgingiair to how 'quehth d .'ziie dz's qeh tflsupply ondary-air tosupportthe flamealong the interior of body 2 ll; Thenumber, diameters and arrangement'Of theopenings36"may vary, the best results beingieigperimentally determined for each burner or applianceso' that combustion-supportin'g air and purging of the fitting will occur with out upsettingthe'balanceof theburner. As soon asjthepilotfiam e aroundthewick 46 has been i'snuffedout thefbimetallic strip-32 will commence to cool andwar'p'outwardly to open the air inlet opening25 so that th'ereafter; a large volume of air will'purgethe ignifier and prevent backflow of fiameftherei'nto; J'The length of the body 20 is. preferably such as to space the bimetallic strip BZ suflicientIy from' the burner to prevent heat radiating from the burner from closing the air nlfi Q n z I i 'jAs seen t' in I*igf -1 two secondary air inlet openings 36"are provided, while in Fig. Qthe ridge 35*is1 providedjvith only one such opening; in Fig'.i12"th'e ridge 35- has been provided with threeppeningsit, illustrativeof one experimentally'determined; variation thereof; and in Fig. 13' the body 20" is"illustratedas being cast without theridgetfi for use in connection with a combination of burner and appliance in which it has been-experimentally determined that the secondaryiair inlet openings 36 are unnecessary; 'A detaiIilluSt ated in-Fig. 10 iswith respect tothe valve body "34, and the air inlet OpGIIiIIg'ZSIffIFWil1"b8 observed that the valve body'has a rounded "inner surface-and the stem'thereofis loosely positioned in-an enlarged opening through the bimetallic strip 32. The valve 'bodyj therefore may shift about or cant't'o a' limitedextent. Preferably the outer end of theejair'inlet-opening 25 is surrounded by 'acountersink' 51 providing a sharp edge at the outerend of the-opening 25* against which the valvebody tlmay befir'mly seated. In the modification disclosed'inFig. 11, the outer end of the air inlet openingi25'is provided with a coni cal countersink 58in which a conical valve body 59 may be seated. It will be appreciated that other forms and arrangements of valve and valve seat'maybe provided'within the scope of my inin the form of'the' 'invention illustrated in Figs. 2 to8' inclusiveytheigniter' previously described ha's been associated with a pressure-fired oil"burne r"which is automatically controlled. 'The burnerjfl is surrounded by a pressure chamberf'iiih the' upper en'dfof which is attached to the heat exchanger ii I in the usual manner. An openingjfiz is provided rthe wall ofthe pressure eha nberrfit, and'a fixedportion of a housing is mount'edon the wall of the chan'iberv surrounding said" opening. The f xed portion of the: housing includes "a' bottomwall fit 'aside wall 64, an opjposite side walljfiiian a topjwall 66; A plurality io'iithewalls arepro edlwithclip bars such as portion including. a; bottom. wall It "complementary'to the wall '6 3, a sidewall ll fcomplementary to. thelside wall 64, an opposite side wanna compleinehtaryftb ithesidefi'vall 6 sya top wall'13 oomiz enta'ryzt gthelt nwaii:fi iangl'ian:en fivau 15. The bottom wall-lrhas "anppening "therethrough in which. is positioned an air propeller '15 mounted" on the verticals'haft 11 of a" motor I8 supported by a plurality of legs 19 fastened to the bottomwall' III- When the'motor is in operation air is forced into thehousing, through the opening 62 into the pressure chamber 60, and into the burner I through the openings [2. In order that the air may be evenly distributed throughout the interior of the housing, a baffle plate 80 is mounted above the impeller I6 upon a plurality of short legs BI, the baflle plate extending beneath the outer end of the igniter body 29. It .is obvious that air under pressure may enter the air inlet opening 25 when the bimetallic strip 32 is warped outwardly, and may constantly enter the secondary air inlets 38 in the ridge 35. Oil reaches the igniter fitting through an inlet pipe 82 which extends through the side wall 65. When it is desired to remove the fitting 20, the pipe 82 is disconnected, the outer portion of the housing removed, thus carrying with it the baffle 80 and the motor 18, the screws A are removed to permit the insulator plug 46 to be lifted from the extension 22, and. the fitting may now be rotated by engagement of a wrench with the hexagonal portion 28. It is to be observed that the conductors ll extend through notches provided in the engaging edges of the upper wall portions 66 and I3 so that the conductors and associated elements may be replaced with ease. A shield 83 may be mounted on wall 64 to protect the bimetallic strip 32 from the heat of the burner, preferably by bolts 8 1 which may be easily removed to permit rotation of the igniter body.

The oil inlet tube 82 extends into the bottom of a control valve support 85 and is attached to a control valve body 86 mounted in support 85. Oil is admitted to the control valve body 85 through an oil supply tube 81 which is in communication with the supply tank. It will be appreciated that flow through the tube 82 into the burner will be under control of the usual needle valve or metering valve (not shown) mounted in the valve body 86. Such devices are so common in the art that details thereof need not be illustrated. Mounted on top of the valve body 85 is a control box 95 including a removable portion 9| preferably provided with louvers to permit the circulation of cooling air therethrough. The portion 9I comprises a front wal1 and a top wall which are retained upon a fixed portion 92 including a back wall, a bottom wall and end walls, the removable portion being retained such as by means of sprin clips 93. Current is supplied to controls mounted in the control box 98 through a cable 95 extending to a junction box Q6 mounted upon the support 85. A second cable 9'! leads from the junction box to the transformer 5| which is mounted on the back of the support 85 and from which the conductors 4| extend into the igniter. Current from the main line is led to the junction box 95 through the usual supply line (not shown) having a manual cut-off switch therein (not shown). The blower motor I8 is connected to control means in the control box 99 through a cable 98. The controls in the control box are also onnectedthroughacable 99 to a safety switch indicated generally at I00 in Fig. 3, details of which are illustrated in Fig. 5, and through a cable IIII to a limit switch (not shown) in the appliance.

The safety switch IIJO illustrated in Fig. 5 comprises a pair of spaced legs I05 and Its which extend through an opening IUT in "the bottom of thepressure chamber GI), the lower extremities of theiiegsrormi'n the end walls ofa small housing 108- which completely encloses the opening I01. Atleast one leg, herein illustrated as le I06, is bent laterally to provide an attaching flange through which a screw I09 passes into the bottom of the burner II], a bimetallic strip III] being held against the bottom of the burner by the screw I09. The outer end of the strip III] is provided with a strap I I I to provide means pivotally to support the cross-piece of a curved, U-shaped member II2, the legs of which extend through openings H3 in the lower wall of the housing I08. A cross-piece I I4 joins the extremities of the legs and supports an insulator screw H5 in contact with a spring actuator II6 of a snap switch including a switch bar Ill. The switch bar carries a pair of insulated contacts. the upper of which is adapted to engage an insulated contact on the base plate III of the snap switch assembly, and the lower contact is adapted to engage an insulated contact mounted on an insulated arm II9 extending between the legs of the member II2. When the burner is cool the bimetallic strip is in the position illustrated in Fig. 5; thus the upper pair of contacts are in engagement with each other and constitute a normally closed pair of contacts. When the bottom of the burner is excessively heated the bimetallic element is warped upwardly, thus causing the switch bar Ill to snap downwardly to engage the normally open pair of contacts.

In Fig. 14 I have illustrated a schematic wiring diagram for use in combination with the assembly illustrated in Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive. In this diagram current is supplied through main lines I2G and I2I across which is positioned the primary winding of a transformer I22 mounted in the control box 90, the main lines being under control of the usual cut-out switch. When the main lines are supplied with current the primary of transformer I22 is energized. The secondary of transformer. I22 is connected at one end through a wire I23 to a room thermostat I24 which, of course, may be supplemented by a manual switch I5I in the usual manner. The thermostat I24 is in series with a limit switch I25 which is so arranged as to be normally closed, but which may open to cause the fire to be extinguished if the bonnet temperature of a furnace, or the temperature of some portion of any appliance in which it is mounted, should become excessive. The limit switch is in series with a first resistance element I26 which is connected to the normally closed contact of the safety switch I00, the common switch bar thereof being indicated by the thermostatic element IIU. Element III] is connected by branch wire I2! and Wire I28 to the opposite side of the secondary of transformer I22. Therefore, when the limit switch and the safety switch are cool and in their normal positions, as illustrated in Fig. 14, closing of the thermostat I24 will heat the element I26. Element I26 heats a bimetallic valve actuator I 38 which warps to open the valve I551, causing oil to flow into the burner, and it simultaneously heats a bimetallic element I3I which warps to contact the end of a branch I32 of a wire I33 leading to the main line I20. The element I3I is connected by wire I35 to the primary winding of transformer 5| which is normally connected through wire I38 to a bimetallic element I40 having a wire I4I leading therefrom to the blower motor 18, the .oppositeside of which is connected by wire 142 to 'the'oppjositemain line I'2I. vTherefore, as soon as bimetallic element I3I is heated sufficiently, a circuit will be completed to energize the secondary of transformer'SI and heat the igniter resistance element 42, and simultaneously cause operation of the blower motor 18 to force air through the opening 25 in the igniter and the air inlets I2 of the burner.

The blower motor should remain energized as long as the burner is under operation, but the igniter resistance element 42 should be de-energized as soon as it has accomplished its function. Therefore, means are provided to break the circuit through the element 42 and to re-establish a circuit through the blower motor I8 so that it will continue operating as long as the thermostat I24 is closed. In order to do this, a spaced pair of normally open contacts are provided above the bimetallic element I30. One of the contacts is at the end of a wire I46 branching from the line leading from the first resistance element I26 to the contact in engagement with bimetallic element H0, and, therefore, is connected through wires I2! and I28 to one side of the transformer I22. The other contact is connected by a wire I41 leading to a second resistance element I45, the opposite end of which is connected by wire I48 leading to the opposite side of transformer I22. Therefore, when the bimetallic element I30 has been heated for a longer period than ordinarily is required for the igniter to operate, it completes the circuit through the second resistance element I45. This causes the bimetallic element I40 to rise and make contact at its upper position, thus completing a circuit across the fan motor independently of the igniter and breaking the circuit to the igniter heater element. The blower will thus continue operating as long as the thermostat I24 is closed-and the burner temperature is below a certain low limit. The resistance elements I25 and I45 and the bimetallic elements I30, I3I and I40 are ofsuch character and so arranged with respect to eachother'that the element I3I makes contact a short interval of time after the oil valve opens, and the element I40 breaks from its lower contact andrises to its upper contact a shortinterval of time thereafter. It is generally preferable that the oilbe permitted to fiow for about one minute, -so-as-te-;becertain that oil has reached the igniter'and the floor of the burner, beforethe igniteris energized-and that the igniter remain energizedfor-about-ten to twenty seconds, a suificient length of-time- -for the igniter resistance element 42 toproduce-and ignite vapor from the oil soaked up into the wick. As soon as the burner temperature exceeds the predetermined low limit the bimetallic element I It of the safety switch I will move sufiiciently to snap the contact bar II'I over to the opposite contact, thus completing a circuit through wires I28 and I21, the resistance element I45, and wire I 43 back to the secondary of transformer I22. The element I45 therefore remains heatedto keep the bimetallic element I40 at its upper position, completing an independent holding circuit through the blower motor and preventing completion of the circuit through the igniterresistance element 42. The first resistance element I26 remains heated in spite of the movement-of the bimetallic element IIO, since the bimetallic element I30 has completed a circuit therethrough from thermostat I24 tothe elementI26, wire I46, bimetallic element I30 and wire I28 to the secondary of transformer I22. I

If the thermostat I24 should nowbpen, the bibetween wires I46 and I41. However, the resistance element I45 will remain heated until the temperature of the burner causes the contact bar I I1 to snap to its normal position as shown in Fig. 5. When that happens, the resistance element I45 will become cool, permitting bimetallic element I40 to move down to its normal position as illustrated in Fig. 14. Prior to this event, and at the same time that bimetallic element I30 is moving to its open position, the bimetallic element I3I has cooled and moved to its open position so that both the igniter resistance element 42 and the blower motor "I8 are in open circuits ready for initiation of the next operation. It will be apparent that, from the time oil flow ceases until the burner bottom is cooled to a safe temperature, reignition is prevented. Also, since the bimetallic element III) is in the opposite position from that illustrated in Fig. 14, the circuit through the first resistance element I26 is held open so that the oil valve cannot be reopened until the burner temperature is cool enough to permit oil to be admitted to the burner without danger.

Having illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention permits of modification in arrangement and detail. I claim as my invention all such modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An igniter for association with an oil burner of the type comprising an open receptacle in which oil is vaporized by the heat of combustion of previously formed oil vapor and mixed with air to form a combustible mixture, said igniter comprising a horizontally elongated, hollow member adapted to be attached to the burner in communication with the interior thereof to provide an oil inlet, said member comprising means to connect an oil feed line thereto adjacent its outer end and an open-topped, hollow extension rising from adjacent its outer end and communicating with the interior thereof, said extension having an auxiliary opening thereinto adjacent its upper end, an insulator closing the upper end of said extension, a pair of conductors extending through said insulator, a resistance element joining the inner ends of said conductors, a wick extending from said resistance element into the path of oil flowing into said member, a bimetallic strip mounted on said hollow member at one end and extending toward said auxiliary opening, and a valve mounted on the free end of said bimetallic strip, said bimetallic strip being arranged to hold said valve away from said auxiliary opening when cool and to move said valve toward said auxiliary opening when heated, and said valve being arranged to close said opening when said bimetallic strip is heated to a sufiicient extent.

2. The construction set forth in claim 1 in which said member is provided with at least one permanently open, small hole in the upper surface thereof between said extension and the open end of the member.

v3. The construction set forth in claim 1 in which said member comprises a ridge extending above the upper surface thereof between said ex tension and the open end of the member, and at least one permanently ,open, small holeextends downwardly through; said ridge to the interior of said member;

4. The construction set forth in claim 1 in metallic element I30, will coolandlopgn;theeap whichjtheopen inner end of said member is cylin- 11 drical and threaded for connection thereof to an oil burner having a threaded coupling member thereon.

5. The construction set forth in claim 1 in which said feed line is connected to said member at one side of the outer end thereof, the outer end of said member is provided with a threaded opening in alignment with the longitudinal axis thereof, and said member comprises a removable plug seated in said threaded opening.

;6. The construction set forth in claim 1 in which said member is of such length as to space said bimetallic strip sufficiently from the burner that the heat radiating from the burner will not warp the bimetallic strip sufficiently to seat said valve member in said opening.

7. The construction set forth in claim 1 in which said valve member comprises a stem loosely mounted in the end of said bimetallic strip so as to permit angular shifting of said valve member whereby it may be seated firmly in said opening.

8. The construction set forth in claim 1 in which said bimetallic strip overlies the outer surface or said extension adjacent said wick.

The construction set forth incl'aim 1; in -co'mbiriation with means shielding said bimetallic strip fromthe-heat of the burner.

10. The construction set forth in claim 1; in combination witha housingsurrounding said extension, a casing forming a pressure chamber sur rounding the burner and communicating with saidhou'sing, said housin'g having an inletopeningthereintc, and 'a blowerarranged to force air through said inlet opening,:about said extension, and into said housing.

i1. An igniter for association with an oil burner of thetype comprising-an open receptacle in which oil is vaporized by'the heat "of combustion of previously formed oilvapor and mixed withair to form a combustible mixture, comprising a horizontally elongated, tubular member adapted to be attached 'to the-burner in communication with the interior thereof toprovid'e an oil inlet, said member comprising means-to connect an oil feed line thereto adjacent its'outer end and an extension rising fromadjacent the feed line connecting means, said extension being hollow and communication with the interior of said member, electric igniting means arranged in said extension, said igniting means including a resistance element and a wick adjacent thereto with said wick extending intothe'pathof oil-flowing into said member, said extension having an air inlet-opening adjacent said "-igniting' means, a valve adapted to close said air inlet opening, and heat-responsive means adjacentsa'i'dwick and arranged to move said valve to close said airin let opening upon being heated.

12. An oil burner of the type comprising an open receptacle in which oil is vaporized by the heat of combustion of previously formed 'oil'vapor and mixed with air to form a, combustible mixture, said receptacle having an oil inlet opening of such size as to provide a'pilot'flanie opening above the normal level of oil admitted therethrough, a combined oil inlet'fitting and igniter mounted on said receptacle and comprising a hollow body including means to forma restricted passage leading to the receptacle, the interior of said body being of siifiicient llight abovfifthe low extension rising therefrom in eommimaaimnwith the interior thereof," an'eieaie issuancestates forming "a substantially horizontal f2 vlce'comprlsing a resistance element mounted in said extension above the normal oil level and an adjacent wick extending to a point below the normal oil level in said body, said body and hollow extension thereof shielding said electric ignition device from the combustion area of said receptacle, said body comprising means to connect an oil feed line thereto whereby oil flowing into said receptacle through said body passes in proximity to said ignition device, said body having an air inlet opening above the normal oil level adjacent said ignition device whereby a pilot flame may be created in said body upon energization of said electric igniting means, and means to close said air inlet opening to snuff out said pilot flame.

13. A combined oil inlet and igniter for an oil burner of the type comprising an open receptacle in which oil is vaporized by the heat of combustion of previously formed oil vapor and mixed with air to form a combustible mixture, comprising a hollow metallic body adapted to be fixed to "the oil burner receptacle in restricted communication with the interior thereof and near the bottom thereof to provide an oil inlet, a hollow riser on said body, an electric igniting means comprising a resistance element arranged in said hollow riser and an adjacent wick extending to a point below the normal oil level in said body, said hollow metallic body and hollow riser thereon shielding said electric igniting means from the com- 'bustion area of said receptacle, and means to ad- 'mit oil into said body, saidriser being'arranged to receive oil in the bottom thereof, said body having an air inlet. opening therein in such'posi- 'tion as to admit air to'support combustion of the oil ignited by'said electric igniting means and cause the projection of a pilot flame into said receptacle, and means to close said-air inlet opening'whereby to extinguish the pilot flame.

14. Acombined oil inlet and igniter for a vapor izing oil burner of the type comprising an open receptacle having an interior portion onto which oil may how to be evaporated by the heat of combustion, said receptacle also comprising air inlet means for continuously admitting air to mix with-the evaporated oil and support combustion thereof, comprising a member adapted to be mounted on-and extend outwardly from the burnerQsai'd -member comprising means for connecting anoil inlet conduit thereto and aportion passage through "which oil may flow from said oil inlet conduit onto 'said interior portion, said passage being of such height throughout that a substantial portion-thereof remains open to the interior of the receptacle above the oil flowing therethrough, means forming a closed chamber rising above said passage and communicating therewith, said chamber having an air inlet opening thereinto at a level-above said passage, an electric igniter mounted in said-chamber and adapted to set fire to the oil flowing through said passage whereby combustion in the receptacle may be initiated by flame spreading into the interior of the receptaclethroughsaid passage, said igniter comprising a resistance element and an adjacent 'wick extending into proximity with-the bottom of "fuel 'by said igniter.

15. A combined oil inlet and igniter, for a v poriz n fc lfbu n rgdr the type' ompr m "open-receptacle"uavmgan interior'evap'oratiii'a surface onto which oil may flow to be evaporated by the heat of combustion, said receptacle also comprising air inlet means for continuously admitting air to mix with the evaporated oil and support combustion thereof, comprising a fixture adapted to be mounted on and extend outwardly from the burner, said fixture comprising means for connecting an oil inlet conduit thereto and a portion forming a substantially horizontal passage through which oil may flow from said oil inlet conduit onto said evaporating surface, said passage being of such height throughout that a substantial portion thereof remains open to the interior of the receptacle above the oil flowing therethrough, said fixture also comprising means forming an open well rising above said passage and communicating therewith, said well having an air inlet opening thereinto at a level above said passage, means closing said Well to form a closed chamber therewith, an igniter including electric resistance means and an adjacent wick mounted in said chamber and adapted to set fire to the oil flowing through said passage whereby combustion in the receptacle may be initiated by flame spreading into the interior of the receptacle through said passage, and valve means adapted to close said air inlet opening at an interval after the oil in said passage is ignited.

16. A combined oil inlet and igniter for a vaporizing oil burner of the type comprising an open receptacle having an interior evaporating surface onto which oil may flow to be evaporated by the heat of combustion, said receptacle also comprising a wall having a plurality of perforations therethrough for continuously admitting air to mix with the evaporated oil and support col bustion thereof, comprising a fixture adapted to be mounted on and extend outwardly from the burner, said fixture comprising means for connecting an oil inlet conduit thereto and a portion forming a substantially horizontal passage through which oil may flow from said oil inlet conduit onto said evaporating surface, said passage being of such height throughout that a substantial portion thereof remains open to the interior of the receptacle above the oil flowing therethrough, said fixture also comprising means forming an open well rising above said passage and communicating therewith, said well having an air inlet opening thereinto at a level above said passage, means closing said well to form a chamber therewith, an electric igniter including electric resistance means mounted in said chamber and wick means adjacent said electric resistance means and extending to the oil level in said passage whereby combustion may be initiated in said fixture and operation of the burner will result from flame spreading into the interior of the receptacle through said passage, and valve means including a bimetallic actuator mounted on said well and susceptible to heat radiated therefrom and a valve movable by said actuator to close said air inlet opening at an interval after initiation of combustion in said passage whereby the flame in said passage is automatically snuffed out a short while after being kindled.

17. A combined oil inlet and igniter for a vaporizing oil burner of the type comprising an open receptacle into which oil may flow to be evaporated by the heat of combustion and air inlet means for continuously admitting air to mix with the evaporated oil and support combustion thereof, comprising a fixture adapted to be mounted on and extend outwardly from the burner, said fixture comprising means for connecting an oil 14 inlet conduit thereto and a portion forminga substantially horizontal passage through which oil may flow from said oil inlet conduit into said receptacle, said passage being of such height throughout that a substantial portion thereof remains open to the interior of the receptacle above the oil flowing therethrough, said fixture also comprising means forming an upwardly opening well rising above said passage and communicating therewith, said well having an air inlet opening thereinto at a level above said passage, means closing the top of said well, an electric igniter in cluding electric resistance means and an adjacent wick mounted in said well and adapted to set fire to the oil flowing through said passage whereby combustion in the receptacle may be initiated by flame spreading into the interior of the receptacle through said passage, valve means including a heat-responsive member mounted on said well and susceptible to heat radiated therefrom to close said air inlet opening at an interval after initiation of combustion in said passage whereby the flame in said passage is automatically snuffed out a short while after being kindled, and means shielding said heat-responsive member against radiation from said receptacle whereby said valve means reopens to permit air to flow through said passage after the flame therein is snuffed out in order that said passage may be kept free of combustion products during operation of the burner.

18. A combined oil inlet and igniter for a vaporizing oil burner of the type comprising an open receptacle having an interior portion onto which oil may flow to be evaporated by the heat of combustion, said receptacle also comprising air inlet means for continuously admitting air to mix with the evaporated oil and support combustion thereof, comprising a member adapted to be mounted on and extend outwardly from the burner, said member comprising means for connecting oil inlet means thereto and a portion forming an oil conduit through which oil may flow from said oil inlet means onto said interior portion of the receptacle, said member also comprising means forming a flame passage therethrough communicating with said oil conduit and with the interior of the burner receptacle adjacent said interior portion, said member having an air admitting opening for supplying air to said flame passage, means to divert a portion of the oil from said oil conduit into said flame passage, a resistance type electric heater mounted in said flame passage adjacent said diverting means for vaporizing some of the diverted oil and igniting the resulting mixture of oil vapor and air admitted through said air inlet opening, the resulting flame being directed toward said interior portion of the burner receptacle through said flame passage to initiate combustion in the burner receptacle, and means for closing said air admitting opening after ignition of the mixture of oil vapor and air in said flame passage has occurred in order to snuff out the flame in said flame passage.

19. A combined oil inlet and igniter for a vaporizing oil burner of the type comprising an open receptacle having an interior portion onto which oil may flow to be evaporated by the heat of combustion, said receptacle also comprising air inlet means for continuously admitting air to mix with the evaporated oil and support combustion thereof, comprising a member adapted to be mounted on and extend outwardly from the burner, said member comprising means for connecting oil inlet means thereto and a portion forming an oil conduit through which oil may flow from said oil 15 inlet means onto said interior portion either-e ceptacle, said mmiieifl also" comprising "means forming a flame passage 'therethrough communicating with said oil conduit and with the interior of the burner receptacle adjacent said interior portion, said member having an air admitting opening for supplying air to said flame passage, means to divert a portion of the oil from said'oil conduit into said flame passage, a resistance type electric heater mounted in said flame passage adjacent said diverting means for vaporizing some of the diverted oil and igniting the resulting mixture of oil vapor and air admitted through said air inlet opening, the resulting flame being directed toward said interior portion of the burner receptacle through said flame passage to initiate combustion in the burner receptacle, means for closing said air admitting opening after ignition of the mixture of oil vapor and air in said flame passage has occurred in order to snufi out the flame in said flame passage, and means efiective to reopen said air admitting opening after the flame in said flame passage isv extinguished whereby scouring air may pass through said flame passage while normal combustion takes. place within the burner receptacle.

, HARRY 0. LONG.-

References Cited in theme of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

